Latest news with #TRACKS
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ed Sheeran supports Sheffield group TRACKS in surprise gig
Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran thrilled hundreds of fans with a surprise outdoor gig in Sheffield on Halifax-born pop star appeared alongside TikTok sensation DJ AG in support of TRACKS - a group that helps young people break into the music comes after the Shape of You star announced in February that his foundation would award the group three years of performing alongside the seasoned artists said it "meant the world" and hoped it would help launch their careers. London-based AG is known to draw big names for his impromptu performances, which he announces at short notice on his social media said giving young talent a platform was "extremely important" to allow them "to shine". He said: "It's not about me, I'm just a facilitator showcasing talent, trying to help, do my part, giving it everything and hopefully everyone had a good time."The event also saw TRACKS release their new single called Spotlight, from seven of their students. TRACKS performers Max, 16, and Jayden, 13, said joining Sheeran and AG made them feel like part of the music community. "It was insane, words cannot describe how good it was, it was just mad," Max said."You get nervous at the start when you are with big people like this, but it actually feels quite good to be doing this," Jayden added."I was so excited. I've never met him in person before and he's one of the nicest persons I've ever met and I mean that from the deepest point of my heart." TRACKS, a collaboration between Sheffield Music School and Sheffield Music Hub, was awarded funding from the Ed Sheeran Foundation earlier this group's music facilitator Louis Barclay said the money would help fund a youth club and more alternative provision for young people in the area."It started with Ed visiting TRACKS and seeing what we do," he said."I think he just felt the ethos of what we do and saw it was something he wanted to support." Onlooker Kim Simpson, who has been following Sheeran's career since his early busking days, said she hoped the gig would give the north "a little bit more of a name" and get young people involved in the city's music scene."What he is doing, getting young rappers out performing, supporting them to bring on a new generation of musicians - it's perfect to come and watch," she said. Busker Blue Bax said he was a "massive" Sheeran fan, adding the musician was an inspiration for him."He's the reason I picked up a guitar, he's the reason I picked up a loop pedal at all," the 21-year-old said."When I found out about this, I immediately rushed over." Sheffield City Council leader Tom Hunt, who was also among the crowd, described the three-hour event as "brilliant"."It really underscores the fact that we are a music city with an incredible pedigree of artists coming out of the city but, more importantly, that we are bursting with talent," he said."There are so many young people, performers in doing all sorts of music in this city, who, if given the spotlight, like they're being given tonight, will go on to shine." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sheffield TRACKS music project gets 'incredible' Ed Sheeran boost
A project in Sheffield which helps young people to get into music has said it was "incredible" to be awarded three years of funding by pop star Ed Sheeran's grant given by the musician's foundation to the TRACKS group would be used to set up a new youth club and take on more alternative provision students, a spokesperson Shape of You star also donated guitars and equipment to help it achieve its goal of making music education more accessible to young people in Revis, director of TRACKS, said the donation would be "the start of so many big things". Ms Revis said she had the chance to meet the singer-songwriter when he visited the city last May and he took an interest in TRACKS, which is run by Sheffield Music same day, he also performed on stage alongside students from the Sheffield College. TRACKS had been struggling to stretch its budget across the services it wanted to offer, so Ms Revis made her successful bid for investment when the Ed Sheeran Foundation was established in Revis said she was thankful the group had been recognised for its role in the community, which included offering alternative provision sessions and working in hospitals."For someone to believe in what we're doing, it's incredible," she said."The kids can see someone at the top of their game thinks, 'you guys can do it as well'."It's someone they've got a connection with and they respect."Ms Revis said the money would also go towards helping students access recording studios and hold live performances in emphasised it was important that young people had the chance to explore a career in the industry, regardless of their background, adding that the aims of TRACKS were also "bigger than music".Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
